Kenya is intensifying its efforts to attract European investment, positioning itself as Africa’s leading gateway for trade, manufacturing, and technology partnerships. The initiative includes a commitment to strengthening bilateral economic relations with Slovakia through new institutional agreements and expanded private sector collaboration.
Addressing the Kenya-Slovakia Business and Development Forum in Nairobi, Kenyan government officials and business leaders collectively advocated for increased Slovak investment, emphasising Kenya’s economic stability, youthful workforce, digital leadership, and strategic access to regional and continental markets.
The forum culminated in the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), and the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest). The MoUs establish a framework for enhanced business, investment, and trade cooperation.
Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, highlighted Kenya’s stable and competitive environment for investors, underpinned by sustained economic growth and ongoing reforms.
“Our economy is growing. Our currency and inflation are stable, and our capital markets are open, deep, and reforming. We therefore invite you to see Kenya as Africa’s premier trading partner and investment destination, a place where capital is rewarded,” Miano stated.
She noted the alignment between Kenya’s strengths in renewable energy, digital innovation, and its young workforce, and Slovakia’s technological capabilities, particularly in electric mobility, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy.
“It is noteworthy that Slovakia leads in e-mobility solutions. Kenya offers the market, the talent, the renewable energy, and the location to set up manufacturing of e-mobility products,” she added.
Miano reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Slovakia across agriculture, energy, education, healthcare, trade, tourism, and environmental conservation, expressing confidence that the forum would lead to practical partnerships benefiting both nations.
Industrialisation Principal Secretary Dr Juma Mukhwana urged Slovak companies to utilise Kenya as their entry point into Africa, citing the country’s advanced digital economy and preferential access to regional markets.
“If you produce a product in Kenya, you will access the East African Community’s eight countries, and now with the African Continental Free Trade Area, you will actually access 55 countries,” he explained.
“As our President said at the European Union yesterday, Africa is the new opportunity for everyone and Kenya is the gateway to that opportunity. You are already at the gate. The gate is open. Please come in. Let’s do business.”
Mukhwana added that Kenya’s technology ecosystem, mobile financial services, and rapidly growing urban population provide a robust foundation for investors seeking long-term opportunities in Africa.
Regina Ombam, Trade Principal Secretary, stated that Kenya is deliberately diversifying its international trade relationships by strengthening partnerships with Central European economies, including Slovakia.
She thanked Slovakia for its support in value addition within Kenya’s agricultural sector, specifically through assistance to macadamia farmers in Meru. This partnership, she noted, is helping Kenya transition from exporting raw commodities to producing higher-value processed products.
Ombam also invited Slovak technology companies to invest in Konza Technopolis, highlighting opportunities in cybersecurity, digital innovation, and research. She further proposed stronger cooperation in tourism, sport, culture, and the creative economy to deepen people-to-people ties.
KEPSA Chairperson Dr Jas Bedi called for a new era of commercial engagement between Africa and Europe, advocating for investment and trade to replace traditional development assistance.
“We don’t want aid. We want trade,” Bedi asserted.
He highlighted that Africa’s expanding continental market, coupled with Kenya’s strategic location and improving business environment, presents significant opportunities in manufacturing, agribusiness, renewable energy, healthcare, ICT, infrastructure, and skills development.
The message from Kenyan leaders was echoed by Juraj Blanár, Slovak Republic Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, who described Kenya as Slovakia’s key partner in East Africa. He committed to elevating bilateral relations into a structured, long-term economic partnership.
“Slovakia considers Kenya its key partner in East Africa. We highly value Kenya’s strategic role as a regional economic hub, a centre of innovation, and an important gateway for trade and investment across the continent,” Blanár stated.
He welcomed the signing of the MoUs, describing them as “an important milestone in building a more institutionalised framework for bilateral economic cooperation between Slovakia and Kenya.”
Blanár indicated Slovakia’s readiness to establish a joint trade committee with Kenya and pursue agreements on investment protection and the avoidance of double taxation to foster a stronger environment for business and investment.
He also highlighted Slovakia’s expertise in agriculture, digitalisation, healthcare, green technologies, ICT, and defence. He pointed to a Slovak Aid-supported electric vehicle charger assembly project in Nairobi as a model for combining development cooperation with private sector investment and technology transfer.
“I firmly believe that Slovakia and Kenya have all the prerequisites to build such a partnership. Let this forum serve not only as a platform for discussion but as a starting point for concrete cooperation, new investment, technological partnership, and stronger people-to-people ties between our countries,” Blanár stated
